For some, starting a new book in English class is the worst part of their day. For others, they find new meaning to all subjects of life and discover an influential book that will surely impact them for the rest of their days. For English classes at CC, not every lesson is focused on grammar or how many metaphors you can pick out. We answer questions of honesty and use literature to get to know ourselves better.
The most popular book that was voted on by students was 1984 by George Orwell, a dystopian novel that explores totalitarianism and manipulation of truth. This novel is currently apart of the Honors English II curriculum. Gigi Licari (’27) describes this as her favorite book because, “[she] thinks it really encapsulates society today and what it could become. It is a warning for the future, and a plea to think for yourself.” Grant Hillary (’26) sums up what Licari said by stating, “I think we have a lot to learn from the book.”
The second most popular book was The Odyssey by Homer, which is a major piece of Greek literature. Kylin Donovan (’29) says the book “teaches you a lot about finding who you really are on the inside.” Others said something similar to finding more about who they are through the characters and personalities they are encountering in the novels.
Books, especially in high school, influence people more than they might realize. They may help you think differently, and it is always helpful to see others perspectives. Books we read at this time of our lives are part of the reason we are who we are. Maybe reading your book for English homework isn’t so bad!
Below is the list of books you could encounter in English at CC:
Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose
1984 by George Orwell
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Best Sports Writing 2024 by Jane McManus
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
The Line Becomes A River by Francisco Cantú
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Night by Elie Wiesel
The Odyssey by Homer
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle
They Call Us Enemy by George Takei
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
